Life saving arrangement for a vessel

ABSTRACT

A life saving arrangement for a vessel including a buoy carried by the vessel in such manner as to release automatically if the vessel sinks, in combination with buoyant life saving equipment, particularly an inflated or inflatable boat, also held on the deck of the vessel in such manner as to release automatically if the vessel sinks. Securing elements are provided which normally hold the buoyant equipment in close relationship with the buoy, and which maintain this relationship when the buoy and the buoyant equipment are released from the vessel, and a trip element is provided to cause release of the securing elements after the vessel has sunk below the buoy and equipment by an amount such that its rigging will not foul the mooring line which still maintains a connection between the buoy and the equipment. After release of the buoy from the equipment, the equipment remains moored to the buoy, and the buoy both maintains the equipment head-on-weather, and also provides beacons for ready location of the survivors in the buoyant equipment. The buoy is preferably connected to the vessel by an anchoring cable, so as to remain anchored to the vessel after this has sunk, as described in Canadian Pat. No. 849,286.

United States Patent [191 Higgs et al.

[ LIFE SAVING ARRANGEMENT FOR A VESSEL [75] Inventors: William York Higgs, Gibsons; Alan Cumyn, West Vancouver, both of Canada [73] Assignee: Intercontinental Marine Limited,

Canada 22 Filed: June 24, I974 [2l] Appl.No,:482,582

Primary Examiner-Duane A. Reger Assistant Examiner-Jesus D. Sotelo Attorney, Agent, or FirmStevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher 1 July 8,1975

[57] ABSTRACT A life saving arrangement for a vessel including a buoy carried by the vessel in such manner as to release automatically if the vessel sinks, in combination with buoyant life saving equipment, particularly an inflated or inflatable boat, also held on the deck of the vessel in such manner as to release automatically if the vessel sinks. Securing elements are provided which normally hold the buoyant equipment in close relationship with the buoy. and which maintain this relationship when the buoy and the buoyant equipment are released from the vessel, and a trip element is provided to cause release of the securing elements after the vessel has sunk below the buoy and equipment by an amount such that its rigging will not foul the mooring line which still maintains a connection between the buoy and the equipment. After release of the buoy from the equipment, the equipment remains moored to the buoy, and the buoy both maintains the equipment head-on-weather, and also provides beacons for ready location of the survivors in the buoyant equipment. The buoy is preferably connected to the vessel by an anchoring cable, so as to remain anchored to the vessel after this has sunk, as described in Canadian Pat. No. 849,286.

14 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures g, ll

PATENTEHJUL 8 1975 SHEET FIGI 1 LIFE SAVING ARRANGEMENT FOR A VESSEL This invention relates to life-saving equipment for use on board vessels, and particularly to improvements in the inventions described in Canadian Pat. No. 849,286 dated Aug. 18, 1970, and in US. Application Ser. No. 280,418, filed Aug. 14. 1972. These inventions re concerned with a buoy which is usually secured by an anchoring cable to the vessel by which it is normally carried, and upon sinking of the vessel stays on the surface of the water, while generally remaining anchored to the vessel, to serve as mooring point for life rafts, life boats and other buoyant equipment, which thus remain in a marshalled condition in the vicinity of the sunken vessel, rather than being scattered by wind and currents over large areas or being driven upon untenable shores. A secondary advantage of being connected to an anchored buoy is that the life rafts and life boats stay head-on to the wind and sea, and this reduees considerably the risk of upset of the boat by wind and wave action.

The aforesaid patent describes a buoy which is releasably held on the deck of a vessel in such a way that it releases automatically if the vessel suddenly sinks so as to remain on the surface; in slower sinkings the buoy may be launched. The buoy is attached to the vessel by an anchoring cable which is about 3,000 feet in length, and which is preferably held on a reel which may be on the vessel or on the buoy, although in the embodiment described in the earlier patent the reel is carried by the vessel. The cable is of sufficient length that with sinkings near coastlines and over continental shelves the cable can maintain connection between the buoy on the surface and the vessel resting on the sea bottom, so that the buoy remains anchored and also helps in location of the sunken vessel.

US. application Ser. No. 280,418 describes a modi fied buoy which carries the stowed anchoring cable preferably on a cable reel, no such reel being provided on the vessel. The cable reel is preferably mounted in an open-bottomed lower part of the buoy, this lower part also serving as the supporting means for supporting the buoy on the vessel. This lower part may be a downward extension from the buoyant element of the buoy, the buoyant element comprising an outer rigid shell and a closed-pore filling of the shell.

In accordance with one aspect of the present inven tion. a life saving arrangement for vessels includes a buoy as described in the aforesaid patent and application, in combination with:

a. buoyant life support equipment such as an inflated or inflatable boat arranged to be releasably held by the vessel,

b. releasable securing means normally holding the buoyant equipment to the body in close relationship and in such manner as to maintain the relationship when the buoy and equipment are released from the vessel;

0. and trip means for providing an interconnection between the securing means and the vessel, the trip means being arranged to cause release of the securing means after the vessel has separated from the buoy by a predetermined amount sufficient for the buoy to be clear of any of the vessel fixtures or rigging.

Mooring means are also provided connecting the buoyant equipment to the buoy so that after release of the securing means the buoyant equipment remains moored to the buoy, which buoy itself normally remains anchored to the sunken vessel by its anchoring cable.

The buoyant life support equipment is preferably a pneumatic boat, either inflated or deflated; the term however includes life rings, or hard rafts of any size, and buoyant equipment of suitable nature.

Although it is of course preferred that the buoy remain anchored to the sunken vessel, as described. this is not possible in very deep water; and for example the length of cable may be limited to 3,000 feet, at least for buoys designed for smaller vessels. Even when sinkings occur in deep water, however, the buoy described in the aforesaid patent and application can still be very useful, since the unanchored buoy acts as a sea anchor, so that life-rafts, etc. which are moored thereto are held in a head-to-weather, collected, condition, and the buoy contains radio and light beacons aiding location of the survivors. Thus, particularly for use in deep sea opeartions, a very useful life saving arrangement in accordance with the invention comprises:

a. a buoy adapted to be releasably carried by the vessel in such manner as to be released automatically should the vessel sink,

b. buoyant life support equipment also arranged to be releasably carried by the vessel,

c. releasable securing means normally securing said buoyant equipment to said buoy in close relationship and in such manner as to maintain said relationship when the buoy and the equipment are released from the vessel,

d. trip means for providing an interconnection between said securing means and the vessel, said trip means being arranged to cause release of said securing means after the vessel has separated from the buoy by a predetermined amount sufficient for the buoy to be clear of any of the vessel fixtures or rigging, and

e. mooring means connecting said equipment to the buoy so that after release of said securing means the buoyant life saving equipment remains moored to the buoy.

The life support equipment may be held on the vessel by holding means including at least one flexible element, such as strap means, attachable to the vessel deck on opposite sides of the equipment and passing over the equipment to normally hold it securely in position. Such a flexible element may have a releasable link to allow release when the equipment becomes submerged. The releasable link is preferably a rupturable element, arranged to break at a predetermined stress somewhat less than that caused by the equipment becoming submerged. In this case, the equipment itself may be sufficiently buoyant to cause rupture of the link or links, for example as with an inflated pneumatic rubber boat. Alternatively, where the natural buoyancy of the equipment is small (for example as with a deflated pneumatic boat in a cannister) the holding means may include a buoyant support for the equipment so that the combined buoyancy of the support and the equipment causes rupture of the link.

Instead ofa rupturable element, it may be possible to use a releasable link which releases in response to a predetermined hydrostatic pressure when the vessel has begun to sink.

The trip means may be a line of predetermined length and breaking strength directly connecting the securing means to the vessel, the line for example being wound on a small reel carried by the vessel. However. this does not preclude the possibility of using the anchoring cable to provide a major part of the interconnection be tween the securing means and the vessel. For example. where the cable is wound on a reel carried by the buoy. the reel may rotate with an auxiliary reel connected to the trip line to wind in this line as the cable is being unwound. The trip means of whatever type allows separa tion of the buoy from the buoyant equipment only when the highest rigging on the vessel has submerged, so as to preclude entanglement with the rigging.

The buoy may be launched from the vessel if time permits, along with the buoyant equipment secured to it, and temporarily held alongside while loading survivors, but if the sinking is so rapid that there is no time for launching, the buoy and the attached equipment will automatically launch themselves as the vessel submerges.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a life saving arrangement according to the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partly sectioned, plan view of the buoy and securing means of the FIG. I arrangement.

FIG. 4 is an underneath perspective view of a lower part of the buoy part of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation ofa modified arrangement, and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the modified arrangement.

The life saving arrangement shown in FIG. 1 is intended to be used on relatively small vessels, the crew of which can preferably be held in one pneumatic boat. Also, this arrangement is intended to be used on vessels such as tugs and fish packers which do not have much rigging or superstructure on which the arrangement might otherwise become caught after release from the deck of the vessel.

The arrangement includes a buoyant boat or dinghy 10, secured to a search initiator and life support buoy 12 which will be described in more detail below.

The boat is an inflated pneumatic boat. The boat shown has a capacity of four to six men, although larger boats or rafts carrying many more men can be used de pending on the vessel. The boat is releasably held by flexible straps 14 on the deck 16 of the vessel in a position clear of obstructions which could prevent free floating of the boat and buoy should the vessel sink suddenly. The straps 14 are flat braided cordage (or sennit) of polypropylene or nylon, and include four lengths which are attached at their outer ends to the deck on opposite sides of boat 10 via four quick release couplings such as pelican hooks 18, the straps passing over the boat to hold it securely on the deck. The strands radiate from a central connection point indicated at 20; this comprises two D-rings 22 each connecting together the lengths on one side of the boat, the connection of the straps being completed by a rupturable element in the form of lashings 24 connecting the two D-ririgs together. The lashings are arranged to have a strength such that the connection between the two D-rings breaks at a stress somewhat less and preferably consid' erably less than that to which the connection will be subjected if the boat 10 becomes fully submerged. For a typical boat of four man capacity, giving a buoyancy of 1550 lbs. at 50 percent immersion of the air-tubes [0a, a suitable total breaking stress for the lashings is 300 to 350 pounds.

As will be clear from FIG. 2. the buoy 12 is positioned very close to the transom 30 of the boat 10. and in between the rear extensions 32 of the air tubes of the boat, so that the whole combination takes up no more overall space than the boat itself. Secured to the rear of the transom 30 is a cradle 34 of wood having an outwards facing concave surface which receives the rounded body of the buoy. This cradle 34 is secured to the transom 30 by two quick release bolts 35 and thumb nuts so that this cradle can be removed from the boat and left secured to the buoy, if the boat is required for use other than for lifesaving. The buoy is secured relative to the boat 10 by a belt 36 of seat-belt type webbing extending around the major part of the buoy. the belt passing through lifting lugs 119 to be described. One end of belt 36 is connected to the cradle 34 via a spring 40, and the other end of the belt is connected to the cradle via a quick release coupling 42 of the type used in aircraft seat belts having an actuating lever 43 which causes the coupling to release when pulled outwardly. The lever 43 is movable by a trip line 45 which passes from lever 43 through a vertical bore 34a in block 34, and from there passes to a small reel 46 mounted on the deck of the vessel, or to the base plate of a buoy seating mount to be described. The reel 46 carries about 50 feet of line 45, and when the boat and buoy are released from the deck the reel 46 allows this line to be paid out relatively freely until fully ex tended when the line becomes taut and operates lever 43 to release coupling 42. The trip line 45 is designed to break at a stress of about 50 lbs, when it has served its purpose of operating the coupling 42.

The buoy 12 is generally similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the aforesaid U.S. application Ser. No. 280,418. The buoy includes a partspherical body 101 formed of rugged, moulded fiberglass or other suitable material. The colour of the buoy will be International Orange," which renders the buoy clearly visible against the background of the sea. Body 101 is filled with a closed-pore foamed synthetic material 102 which provides buoyancy even if the body 101 is punctured or otherwise damaged.

Mounted on the superstructure or top of the body is a clear Lucite dome 103 covering a strobe light 105 of the high intensity Xenon type as used on aircraft for collision avoidance. The dome 103 co-operates with a cannister 107 to form a sealed enclosure for the light. The strobe light is connected to a solid state driving circuit which causes the light 105 to produce ten flashes per minute with a peak intensity of 1 million foot candles. By the use of a Fresnel lens, the range of this light is between 15 and 25 miles under average conditions. On an upper part of body 101 is formed a recess 108 in which are disposed various control switches 109 and the base mounting of an omnidirectional antenna 111. These parts are all sealed against the ingress of water and moisturev Inside the body, and indicated merely by dotted outlines, are a sealed enclosure 115, and a battery 113 of the lithium type. The sealed enclosure 115 contains the driving circuit for the strobe light and a radio transmitter. The battery is capable of operating the strobe light 105 and the radio transmitter for a period which depends on the expired shelflife of the battery, but in normal use will be between 140 hours and 192 hours. The radio transmitter is connected to the antenna 111 and when activated provides a distress and homing signal approved under international regulations.

The radio transmitter and strobe light are both connected to a magnetically operated switch within the body of the buoy. The switch is completely enclosed against ingress of moisture, and is positioned to be externally operated by a magnet fixed to the upper rail of the seating mount to be described. The magnet normally holds the switch in the off" position, but when the buoy is removed from the mount (either by being launched or floating free) the switch is separated from the magnet, and a spring force then moves the switch to the on position to activate the transmitter and strobe light.

Disposed in an upper part of the body 101 is an internal radar reflector 117 affording 360 coverage. Spaced round the periphery of the body 101 are four vertically extending cast aluminum life line mooring and lifting lugs 119, streamlined to avoid entanglement with the vessels rigging when the buoy floats free. These lugs are securely fixed to support plates inside the body, and arm loops 121 of polypropylene rope extend between these lugs 119. These arm loops also form mooring means for temporary attachment of painters of other buoyant equipment released from the vessel.

The body 101 is generally spherical in shape, but has fitted to its bottom a moulded fiberglass circular skirt 129 which has an open bottom. This can be seen clearly in FIG. 4, which also shows how the skirt 129 serves as a housing for a cable reel 13] having two spaced end plates 133 and 135 connected by a shaft which extends into journal bearings 139 carried by the lower part of the body 101. The end plates 133 and 135 are formed on their outer face with three ribs 141 which in addition to providing stiffening of the plates, serve during rotation of the reel as brakes, since they are immersed in water once the ship sinks, and as the reel is rotated rapidly in the restricted space provided for by skirt 129 by the paying out of anchoring cable 143 wound on the reel, these ribs churn the water and provide appreciable braking to offset possible over-ride of cable 143. The reel is also preferably provided with a friction brake (not shown). The cable 143 is 3,000 feet long and is provided at its free end with a rapid release shackle 145. It has a diameter of 3/32 inch, and is of galvanized steel stranded 7X7. Its certified breaking strength is 1,200 pounds.

Secured to a strong point 124 on the skirt 129 is a mooring line 123, of suitable length such as fifty feet, which is fleeted in place, as shown in FIG. 2, near the rear end of boat 10. The line 123 is held in place by readily breakable cords. The outer end of line 123 is connected to the painter 125 of the boat 10.

Mounted on the inside of the body are one gallon cannisters 147, one containing calming oil, and the others containing shark repellent and Fluoresceine dye. These are arranged when the buoy is released from the ship to release the fluids in a controlled manner over a suitable period of time.

The buoy body 101 has a diameter of 24 inches and the buoy has a total weight of 98 pounds. It is mounted on an upper part of the vessel structure, in a buoy seating base 151. Base 151 includes a circular steel or aluminum plate 153 secured to the deck of the vessel either by welding or by a number of bolts. The buoy sits on a neoprene rubber pad on this plate and is held against lateral displacement by a horizontal seating rail 155 which closely encircles the buoy immediately below the lugs 119, this rail being formed by aluminum or suitably galvanized steel pipe and treated against corrosion, and mounted on the plate 153 through four columns 157 also formed of steel or aluminum pipe and welded at their ends to the rail 155 and the plate 153. Possible rattle or vibration is arrested by four vertical neoprene wedges between the buoy and seating base 151.

In installing the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the seating mount 151 preferably with the buoy in place, is lifted onto and secured to the deck of the vessel in an area as nearly free from rigging and other obstructions as possible. The shackle 145 is coupled to an eyebolt carried on the deck of the vessel or on the base plate of the seating mount, a quick release pin being used to make this connection. The boat 10 is then positioned as shown and secured by straps 14. The belt 36 is put in place to secure the buoy to the boat, the trip line 45 is connected between the reel 46 and lever 43, and the life saving arrangement is then ready for use. The switches 109 are used for periodic maintenance checks on the buoy, and to trigger the radio transmitter should the vessel become disabled and need help or in the event of vessel power failure with resultant radio silence, or if the vessel sinks the electronics may be triggered before launching the buoy. The pelican hooks l8, and release coupling 42, allow the boat to be released and used separately from the buoy if required.

Should the vessel sink suddenly, the partial immersion of the boat 10 will cause lashings 24 to break, releasing the boat and allowing this to float free, with the buoy 12 also floating and remaining attached to the boat by belt 36. As the vessel continues to sink, line 45 pays out from reel 46, and at the same time the cable 143, being shackled to the vessel, will also pay out from reel 13]. The churning of ribs 141 in the water in combination with the friction brake ensures that cable 143 pays out in a controlled manner and prevents overrunmng.

When the vessel reaches sufficient depth from its rigging to be clear of the buoy and boat, the line 45 becomes fully extended, and operates lever 43 and releases belt 36 from the coupling 42; immediately afterwards line 45 breaks. The released belt 36 is caused to spring away from the buoy by the action of the spring 40. The buoy and boat then separate, since the boat is free to move with the wind and waves whereas movement of the buoy is restrained by cable 143. This movement causes release of mooring line 123 from its fleeted position, until the boat reaches a position where the line 123 and painter are fully extended and the buoy is holding the boat in a stable head-to-weather condition. At this point, or before, survivors can climb into the boat; they can also if necessary, cling to the arm loops 121 attached to the buoy.

As the vessel continues to sink, cable 143 continues to pay out, and when the vessel reaches the bottom the cable will still pay out slowly as the buoy and boat drift with the survivors. until the cable is fully paid out. The buoy will then remain anchored, the boat being held in position by the buoy.

The removal of the buoy from its mount causes activation of the various electrical circuits in the buoy. Thus. when the buoy leaves the seating base 151, the strobe light 105 has commenced flashing. the ratio transmititer is oprative. and a beacon and distress signal is being emitted from the antenna 111.

The cable length of 3,000 feet is ample for operation of the vessel in coastal waters and over continental shelves. If a vessel is going on a voyage over deeper waters or operating on and off continental shelf soundings, then part of the normal ships procedure would be to uncouple the shackle 145 prior to encountering these conditions. so that in the case of shipwreck the buoy would not be anchored to the ship, but remain on the surface and be effective both as a visual and radio beacon, and act as an effective sea anchor which will hold the boat head-to-weather.

FIGS. and 6 show a modification of the lifesaving arrangement of the invention, in which the buoyant equipment is a deflated pneumatic boat contained in a cannister 210.

The buoy l2. and the seating mount are exactly the same as in the previous embodiment, except in that means are provided (described below) for attaching the fleeted or stowed mooring line 223 to the buoy rather than to the boat.

The cannister 210 is of known form. and consists of a fiberglass shell formed of two similar parts normally connected together by a soft rubber sealed joint 212. The cannister contains an inflatable life raft or boat which. when inflated, is similar to that of the first embodiment. The cannister also contains inflating means in the form of a cylinder of compressed carbon dioxide, which is actuated when a painter 225, protruding from a hole in the cannister, is pulled out almost to its full length. Inflation of the life raft or boat by the carbon dioxide cylinder causes this to burst the joint 212 so that the two parts of the shell separate and fall away from the inflating raft or boat.

The cannister 210 is held on the deck by holding means including a buoyant, styrofoam support 213, and straps 214 normally holding the cannister firmly on the support which rests on the deck. The straps 214 are connected to the deck by pelican hooks 218, and to each other by rupturable lashings 224, similar to those of the previous embodiment. The buoyancy of the sup port 213 is chosen to be such that this. together with the slight buoyancy of the cannister, produces sufficient stress to break the lashings 224 when the cannis ter is less than fully submerged.

The cannister 210 is held with the joint 212 disposed vertically, and to one side of the cannister is bolted a beam 230. The central part of the beam holds a cradle 234 which receives the rounded surface of the body of the buoy. The beam 230 also holds a spring 240 and a quick release coupling 242 which in turn holds a belt 236 passing around the body of the buoy. The coupling 242 may be actuated by a trip line 245 wound on a deck mounted reel 246; the arrangement of belt, spring. coupling. trip line and reel being all identical to that of the first embodiment.

The painter 225 is attached to the end of mooring line 223, which, as in the first embodiment, is attached to a strong point 124 on the skirt of the buoy. The line 123 is fleeted and stowed in position on the skirt of the buoy and is held by cords threaded through neat holes in the shirt. The cords are such that. when the buoy and the cannister are both floating and belt 236 is released. the cannister can drift away from the buoy with mooring line 123 being pulled from its fleeted position. breaking the retaining cords.

The operation of this embodiment is very similar to that of the first embodiment. if the vessel sinks, both buoy l2 and cannister 210 float away together. with rupture of lashings 224. After the vessel has sunk to a depth determined by the length of trip line 245, the coupling 242 releases belt 236 and the cannister floats away from the buoy which remains anchored to the sinking vessel. This movement pulls out mooring line 123, and also pulls the painter 125 from the cannister until the inflating means within the cannister is operated. After the boat or raft has inflated, it remains moored to the buoy by line 123 and painter 125. being held in a head-to-weather condition.

In both embodiments, the manner in which the buoyant equipment is held in head-to-weather condition gives a comparatively comfortable and safe ride to the survivors. as compared to what would be experienced when drifting freely. Hope and encouragement is also experienced due to the presence of radio and light beacons in the buoy. Both of these factors are important in survival.

We claim:

I. A life saving arrangement for a vessel, comprising:

a. a buoy adapted to be releasably carried by the ves sel in such manner as to be released automatically should the vessel sink,

b. buoyant life support equipment also arranged to be releasably carried by the vessel.

c. releasable securing means normally securing said buoyant equipment to said buoy in close relationship and in such manner as to maintain said relationship when the buoy and the equipment are released from the vessel,

d. trip means for providing an interconnection between said securing means and the vessel, said trip means being arranged to cause release of said securing means after the vessel has separated from the buoy by a predetermined amount sufficient for the buoy to be clear of any of the vessel fixtures or rigging, and

e. mooring means connecting said equipment to the buoy so that after release of said securing means the buoyant life saving equipment remains moored to the buoy.

. A life saving arrangement for a vessel. comprising:

. a buoy adapted to be releasably carried by the ves sel in such manner as to be released automatically should the vessel sink.

b. a cable connected to the buoy and for connection to the vessel. whereby if the vessel sinks the buoy is released from the vessel and the cable is paid out so that the cable maintains a connection between the sunken vessel and the buoy on the surface of the water,

e. buoyant life support equipment,

d. holding means normally holding said equipment in position on the vessel but being such that said equipment will be released automatically from the vessel should the vessel sink,

e. releasable securing means normally securing said equipment to said buoy in close relationship and in such manner as to maintain said relationship when the buoy and the equipment are released from the vessel,

f. trip means for providing an interconnection between said securing means and the vessel, said trip means being arranged to cause release of said securing means after the vessel has separated from the buoy by a predetermined amount sufficient for the buoy to be clear of any of the vessel fixtures or rigging and g. mooring means connecting said equipment to the buoy so that after release of said securing means the buoyant life saving equipment remains moored to the buoy, which buoy itself normally remains anchored to the sunken vessel by said cable.

3. A life saving arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said holding means for the buoyant equipment includes at least one flexible element attachable to the deck of the vessel on opposite sides of the said equipment and passing over the equipment to hold it securely in position, said flexible element including a releasable link arranged to release when the buoyant equipment becomes submerged.

4. A life saving arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said releasable link is a rupturable element which breaks when subjected to a predetermined stress, and wherein said buoyant equipment and said holding means therefor together include sufficient buoyancy to cause said element to break when sub jected to a stress somewhat less than that caused by said equipment becoming submerged.

5. A life saving arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said buoyant life support equipment includes an inflated pneumatic boat.

6. A life saving arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said buoyant life support equipment includes deflated pneumatic life support means contained within a cannister, said cannister also containing inflating means.

7. A life saving arrangement according to claim I, wherein said buoyant life support equipment includes deflated pneumatic life support means contained within a cannister, said cannister also containing inflating means, said inflating means being operable automatically by said mooring means when the buoy is separated from the cannister by a sufficient extent.

8. A life saving arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said buoyant equipment includes deflated pneumatic life support means contained within a cannister, and wherein said holding means includes a buoyant support for the cannister, the combined buoyancy of the cannister and the support causing said element to break when the cannister becomes submerged.

9. A life saving arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said releasable securing means holds said buoyant equipment securely fixed to said buoy for movement therewith until said securing means are released.

10. A life saving arrangement according to claim I wherein said securing means includes a belt extending around the major part of the body of the buoy. said belt being connected at both ends to the buoyant life saving equipment via spring means and a quick release mechanism, said quick release mechanism being operable by said trip means.

11. A life saving arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said trip means is a line normally wound on a reel mountable on the vessel. said reel allowing said line to be pulled relatively freely therefrom until the buoy is separated from the vessel by said predetermined amount, said line being arranged to operate release means of said securing means when fully unwound from the reel.

12. A life saving arrangement according to claim I, wherein said buoy includes electrically operated beacon means'adapted to be operated automatically on release of the buoy from the vessel.

13. A life saving arrangement for a vessel, comprising:

a. a buoy adapted to be releasably carried by the vessel in such manner as to be released automatically should the vessel sink,

b. a cable connected to the buoy and for connection to the vessel, whereby if the vessel sinks the buoy is released from the vessel and the cable is paid out so that the cable maintains a connection between the sunken vessel and the buoy on the surface of the water,

c. a buoyant dinghy held on said vessel by means allowing automatic release of the dinghy in response to partial submersion thereof,

d. releasable securing means connecting the transom of the dinghy to said buoy, said securing means including a cradle normally fixed to said transom and having a portion which corresponds in shape to a side portion of the buoy, said cradle and buoy being held together by a belt extending around the body of the buoy and having its ends connected to the transom, one end of said belt being held by a quick release coupling, said securing means nor mally securing the dinghy to the buoy in such manner as to maintain their relationship when the buoy and dinghy are released from the vessel,

e. trip means for providing an interconnection between the quick release coupling and the vessel so as to cause release of said coupling after the buoy and dinghy have separated from the vessel by a predetermined amount sufficient for the buoy and dinghy to be clear of the vessel fixtures or rigging, and

f. mooring means connecting said dinghy and buoy so that after release of said securing means the dinghy remains moored to the buoy.

14. A life saving arrangement according to claim 13, wherein said dinghy is an inflated pneumatic dinghy and wherein said buoy is positioned between the rear end portions of air tubes forming the sides of the dinghy. 

1. A life saving arrangement for a vessel, comprising: a. a buoy adapted to be releasably carried by the vessel in such manner as to be released automatically should the vessel sink, b. buoyant life support equipment also arranged to be releasably carried by the vessel, c. releasable securing means normally securing said buoyant equipment to said buoy in close relationship and in such manner as to maintain said relationship when the buoy and the equipment are released from the vessel, d. trip means for providing an interconnection between said securing means and the vessel, said trip means being arranged to cause release of said securing means after the vessel has separated from the buoy by a predetermined amount sufficient for the Buoy to be clear of any of the vessel fixtures or rigging, and e. mooring means connecting said equipment to the buoy so that after release of said securing means the buoyant life saving equipment remains moored to the buoy.
 2. A life saving arrangement for a vessel, comprising: a. a buoy adapted to be releasably carried by the vessel in such manner as to be released automatically should the vessel sink, b. a cable connected to the buoy and for connection to the vessel, whereby if the vessel sinks the buoy is released from the vessel and the cable is paid out so that the cable maintains a connection between the sunken vessel and the buoy on the surface of the water, c. buoyant life support equipment, d. holding means normally holding said equipment in position on the vessel but being such that said equipment will be released automatically from the vessel should the vessel sink, e. releasable securing means normally securing said equipment to said buoy in close relationship and in such manner as to maintain said relationship when the buoy and the equipment are released from the vessel, f. trip means for providing an interconnection between said securing means and the vessel, said trip means being arranged to cause release of said securing means after the vessel has separated from the buoy by a predetermined amount sufficient for the buoy to be clear of any of the vessel fixtures or rigging and g. mooring means connecting said equipment to the buoy so that after release of said securing means the buoyant life saving equipment remains moored to the buoy, which buoy itself normally remains anchored to the sunken vessel by said cable.
 3. A life saving arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said holding means for the buoyant equipment includes at least one flexible element attachable to the deck of the vessel on opposite sides of the said equipment and passing over the equipment to hold it securely in position, said flexible element including a releasable link arranged to release when the buoyant equipment becomes submerged.
 4. A life saving arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said releasable link is a rupturable element which breaks when subjected to a predetermined stress, and wherein said buoyant equipment and said holding means therefor together include sufficient buoyancy to cause said element to break when subjected to a stress somewhat less than that caused by said equipment becoming submerged.
 5. A life saving arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said buoyant life support equipment includes an inflated pneumatic boat.
 6. A life saving arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said buoyant life support equipment includes deflated pneumatic life support means contained within a cannister, said cannister also containing inflating means.
 7. A life saving arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said buoyant life support equipment includes deflated pneumatic life support means contained within a cannister, said cannister also containing inflating means, said inflating means being operable automatically by said mooring means when the buoy is separated from the cannister by a sufficient extent.
 8. A life saving arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said buoyant equipment includes deflated pneumatic life support means contained within a cannister, and wherein said holding means includes a buoyant support for the cannister, the combined buoyancy of the cannister and the support causing said element to break when the cannister becomes submerged.
 9. A life saving arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said releasable securing means holds said buoyant equipment securely fixed to said buoy for movement therewith until said securing means are released.
 10. A life saving arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said securing means includes a belt extending around the major part of the body of the buoy, said belt being connected at both ends to the buoyant life saving equipment via spring means and a quick rElease mechanism, said quick release mechanism being operable by said trip means.
 11. A life saving arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said trip means is a line normally wound on a reel mountable on the vessel, said reel allowing said line to be pulled relatively freely therefrom until the buoy is separated from the vessel by said predetermined amount, said line being arranged to operate release means of said securing means when fully unwound from the reel.
 12. A life saving arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said buoy includes electrically operated beacon means adapted to be operated automatically on release of the buoy from the vessel.
 13. A life saving arrangement for a vessel, comprising: a. a buoy adapted to be releasably carried by the vessel in such manner as to be released automatically should the vessel sink, b. a cable connected to the buoy and for connection to the vessel, whereby if the vessel sinks the buoy is released from the vessel and the cable is paid out so that the cable maintains a connection between the sunken vessel and the buoy on the surface of the water, c. a buoyant dinghy held on said vessel by means allowing automatic release of the dinghy in response to partial submersion thereof, d. releasable securing means connecting the transom of the dinghy to said buoy, said securing means including a cradle normally fixed to said transom and having a portion which corresponds in shape to a side portion of the buoy, said cradle and buoy being held together by a belt extending around the body of the buoy and having its ends connected to the transom, one end of said belt being held by a quick release coupling, said securing means normally securing the dinghy to the buoy in such manner as to maintain their relationship when the buoy and dinghy are released from the vessel, e. trip means for providing an interconnection between the quick release coupling and the vessel so as to cause release of said coupling after the buoy and dinghy have separated from the vessel by a predetermined amount sufficient for the buoy and dinghy to be clear of the vessel fixtures or rigging, and f. mooring means connecting said dinghy and buoy so that after release of said securing means the dinghy remains moored to the buoy.
 14. A life saving arrangement according to claim 13, wherein said dinghy is an inflated pneumatic dinghy and wherein said buoy is positioned between the rear end portions of air tubes forming the sides of the dinghy. 